Life at the Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are in chaos with a growing number of open high-level positions, resignations and Senate failure to move on confirmations. Meanwhile the government shutdown has put a crimp in the leadership’s dream of rolling back regulations. And it doesn’t look to get better anytime soon.

As the sun sets on the 115th Congress and the mid-point of this term of the Trump administration, the sun also seems to be setting on any chance of seeing an Assistant Secretary for OSHA in the foreseeable future. Or maybe not…. You may recall that former FedEx Ground safety director and Chamber of Commerce…

While Rod Rosenstein and Brett Kavanaugh may be on their way out, OSHA nominee Scott Mugno and other Department of Labor nominees may be on their way in according to intrepid Bloomberg reporter Chris Opfer. You may recall that business interests, who hate, hate, hate the idea of Democrat Mark Pearce getting another term on…

Good Budget News for OSHA Last June we reported some good budget news for OSHA from the Senate, and now it’s gotten a bit better. Conferees from the House and the Senate have just agreed on a budget for OSHA for Fiscal Year 2019 beginning on October 1. Both Houses still have to pass the final…

It’s mid-summer and a man’s fancy turns to what’s happening in OSHA these days. Let’s update you all before you (and I) head out on vacation: Assistant Secretary: Tomorrow will mark a full 18 months of this administration and still no Assistant Secretary at OSHA. Scott Mugno, who has gone through a Senate confirmation hearing…

I’m back after a couple of weeks of travel and instead of focusing about what happened over the last couple of week, what didn’t happen is probably more significant. What Happened Six months into Fiscal Year 2018, Congress finally passed the FY 2018 budget. Congress essentially ignored the President’s request to slash worker safety and health…

The messages to OSHA from the Chamber of Commerce at this week’s House hearing were clear: Don’t (miss)use the General Duty Clause as a substitute for issuing OSHA standards. Don’t issue any OSHA standards. The General Duty Clause: Great Idea, As Long As You Don’t Actually Use It One of the mantras that you hear…